Work and a job are two different things. A job isn’t necessarily pleasant. At best, it pays the bills, but it has no meaning beyond the paycheck. At worst, it crushes and stifles the spirit. Work sometimes isn’t pleasant, either, but it has a perpetual joy to it. It is not the four-letter word some make it. Work is not to be dreaded; it should be something one enjoys doing. It should provide direction and engender passion.
joy
What Makes You Happy?
My friend, Jack Steiner, asked a seemingly simple question the other day: “What makes you happy?” I like the question. It makes me think of my “little loves” post. I probably answered Jack’s question in that post, but the topic seems to be one that deserves more consideration.
Finding Joy; Creating Value
I’ve been obsessed with two ideas for the past few weeks: finding joy and creating value. I think they’re two sides of the same coin. What causes me joy should create value, if only in the joy I foster in my audience. Similarly, what brings value to my audience should have some value, some joy, to or for me.
Get Back Up
If I’ve learned anything about falling and failure, it’s that I have to get up. I can’t stay on my knees. I can’t cling to the crumpled remnants of failed poems. I can’t hoard unsuccessful blog posts.